Previously in this series, the Packers needs for offensive tackle, outside linebacker, and cornerback were covered. It was suggested that the
team may use its first pick in the draft for any of the positions, given
there is an age issue with the personnel currently capable of handling
those duties adequately.

This is not the case at the Packers fourth position of need, running
back.

Indeed, the team may well be able to make no significant changes at
this position and be solid. In addition, they may well be able to get a
good running back as late as the second day. The following are some
notable backs taken in the third round or later this decade alone:

2009: Shonn Greene (third round, New York Jets) had over 500 yards
rushing in his rookie season

Considering this, the fact that
the Packers even need a running back is disconcerting. The team spent a
second-round pick on Brandon Jackson in 2007 that has failed to pay much
in the way of dividends, even though running back is the easiest
position to make the transition from college to pros.

After getting three starts his rookie season, Jackson was unseated by
Ryan Grant, who gained more rushing yards than anyone but Ladanian
Tomlinson over the final nine games of the season (929). With Grant
battling his way to 1200 yards through a hamstring injury in 2008, it
looked like Jackson might be ready to challenge Grant for playing time,
getting 248 yards on 45 carries (5.5 average) and 185 yards on 30
catches (6.2 average).

However, he took a definite step back in 2009, getting only 111 yards
on 37 carries (3.0 average) and 21 catches for 187 yards (8.9 average).
While he did get three touchdowns (one receiving), all three came in a
blowout win over the Seattle Seahawks in which all three running backs
scored; take away that game, and he was under three yards per carry.

Even in a photo on Flickr under "Brandon Jackson",
he is second to Ryan Grant

Green Bay released Ahman
Green and DeShawn Wynn, leaving Grant and Jackson as the only backs of
consequence on the roster. Jackson is a more than adequate third-down
back--a capable runner, solid blocker, and good receiver--but after three
seasons, he has not shown he can be counted on for more.

There are a number of players in the draft who can help the Packers,
but if they do not spend their first pick on one of the three major
positions of need, it will be a poor decision. Even the fourth through
sixth-rated backs in the draft who are likely to be Day One
picks--Jonathan Dwyer of Georgia Tech, Montario Hardesty of Tennessee,
and my favourite, Toby Gerhart of Stanford--would not help the team as
much as drafting another player one in the three aforementioned
positions.

The Packers can select a running back in Day Two and hope he is
better than Jackson, but this team is too close to count on that when
there are other players out there. Most of the free agents signing so
far--even those who are clearly on the downside of their careers, are out
of the Packers price range; in my companion piece, I talked about who would be too
high-priced.

Thus, this list will focus on the players who might actually land in
Green Bay. Here are my top four choices:

Justin Fargas (2009: 129 carries, 491 yards, 17 catches, 113
yards, three total TDs)--Fargas has a 1000-yard season in 2007 and in
a six-year career with a bad team that had no real passing game to
balance with, he has over 3000 yards and a 4.1-yard per carry average,
with 10 TDs and four fumbles lost.

Mike Bell (2009: 172 carries, 654 yards, four catches, 12 yards,
five total TDs and two fumbles lost)--Bell has two seasons of over
600 yards in four years in the league, has run behind the zone blocking
scheme, and offers the power to compliment Grant's speed. However, he
obviously leaves much to be desired as a receiver out of the backfield.

Jerious Norwood (2009: 76 carries, 252 yards, 0 TDs, 19 catches,
186 yards, 1 total TD, one fumble lost)--Norwood may be perceived as
damaged goods coming off of an injury, but he produced 1625 total yards
in his first two years. He is a dual threat with the capability of
breaking big plays, and thanks to his backup role, does not have a lot
of mileage on him.